The Prince William County School Board convened on November 19, 2024, to discuss several key agenda items, including the approval of the 2025-2026 school calendar and community input on accessibility measures.

The meeting began with a citizen comment period, where a participant proposed the use of cell phones for educational purposes, specifically for voice instruction and live captions. The speaker suggested a system where students could volunteer to use designated cell phones, similar to crossing guard programs, to enhance communication for peers who require assistance.

Following the public comments, the board moved on to the main agenda item: the approval of the annual school calendar for the 2025-2026 academic year. Vice Chair Ms. Zargarpur initiated a motion to approve Option B of the calendar, which was confirmed to start on a Monday. This option was favored by the calendar committee and received significant community support.

During the discussion, board members acknowledged requests to include the Eid al-Adha holiday in the school calendar. However, they clarified that any changes to recognized holidays would require a policy amendment, which would be addressed in the upcoming months. The board emphasized that if the policy is modified to include additional holidays, the calendar could be adjusted accordingly.

Board member Ms. Trudenick raised the issue of adding Easter to the holiday policy, indicating that this would also be considered in future discussions.

As the meeting progressed, board member Mr. Wilkins expressed his dissent regarding the proposed calendar, citing concerns about teacher exhaustion and advocating for a reduction in required school hours. He indicated that he would vote against the calendar in hopes of prompting a reconsideration of the current structure.

The board concluded the discussion with a vote on Option B for the school calendar. The outcome of the vote and any subsequent actions regarding the proposed changes to holiday policies will be addressed in future meetings. Overall, the meeting highlighted ongoing community engagement and the board's commitment to addressing diverse needs within the school system.